Gray Proposes Reallocation of $100MM of DCPS Capital Modernization Funds

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't really understand why more public resources should go to support the operations of charter schools (including capital improvements).

Charter schools receive a really generous per-student allotment, AND do hefty private fundraising on top of it, AND often get to use public buildings. Why should we pay for the renovations of those buildings instead of the renovations of traditional public schools that often don't have the flexibility to access more funding? (and, end up serving a lot of students that charters boot out without the benefit of the per-student allotment if students are expelled late enough in the school year)

I'm really honestly open to others' (civil) points of view on this because I don't get it.

Actually- charter schools are given less money per student than the DC Public schools. That is why the fundraising takes place so that they can make up the shortfalls. At the same time, if they are not in a decommissioned public school, most charters are paying city rents. That is outrageous because those funds should go toward academics, not facilities.

I want all DC students to be in modern facilities, but I think this proposal sets a bad precedent. If DCI was awarded a grant and they are planning the upcoming school year budgets based on that money, what are they going to do for the rising 6 graders? Now all of these schools have to go into emergency crisis mode which also distracts admin and academic resources from students. Any school could find themselves in this position if this type of imperial decree initiative is enacted.

I plan on calling my Council member and the Mayor 's office about it. Hope other parents do as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:Jack Evans just said at the WAMU debate that he and Gray worked together to get funding for Garrison. If I heard correctly, that means the cut being discussed here are null and void.

Also, Bowser again refused commit regarding Henderson.

Case study for the politicization of education in DC.

The politics have become disgusting and while people debate over which Wards "won" and which "lost", kids are losing. It is a shame that no one is trying to actually compare the physical needs of these buildings and prioritizing them appropriately.

Even before this announcement there was no system you speak of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:Jack Evans just said at the WAMU debate that he and Gray worked together to get funding for Garrison. If I heard correctly, that means the cut being discussed here are null and void.

Also, Bowser again refused commit regarding Henderson.

Case study for the politicization of education in DC.

The politics have become disgusting and while people debate over which Wards "won" and which "lost", kids are losing. It is a shame that no one is trying to actually compare the physical needs of these buildings and prioritizing them appropriately.

Even before this announcement there was no system you speak of.

I know. That is the problem and it keeps getting worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:Jack Evans just said at the WAMU debate that he and Gray worked together to get funding for Garrison. If I heard correctly, that means the cut being discussed here are null and void.

Also, Bowser again refused commit regarding Henderson.

Case study for the politicization of education in DC.

The politics have become disgusting and while people debate over which Wards "won" and which "lost", kids are losing. It is a shame that no one is trying to actually compare the physical needs of these buildings and prioritizing them appropriately.

Even before this announcement there was no system you speak of.

Sadly, the process appears to me more about developers than it is about actual school needs.

[Anonymous]

DCI needs to raise funds for the development of the Walter Reed building, not for its academic program or the first year. They're set for that. The 6 million was an appropriation by Catania to try and help them develop that site, not to run DCI. Gray worked to get the money taken away through a legal ruling, which he did. It dealt a blow to DCI's fundraising for Walter Reed, but they'll just have to work harder to raise the 27 million needed.
Just another example of politicians making education more difficult. But like all good schools, DCI will dig in, work even harder, and make the school a success despite the political maneuvering.

[Anonymous]

This is very reassuring to me: http://parkviewdc.com/2014/02/27/some-school-modernization-news/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:Jack Evans just said at the WAMU debate that he and Gray worked together to get funding for Garrison. If I heard correctly, that means the cut being discussed here are null and void.

Also, Bowser again refused commit regarding Henderson.

Case study for the politicization of education in DC.

The politics have become disgusting and while people debate over which Wards "won" and which "lost", kids are losing. It is a shame that no one is trying to actually compare the physical needs of these buildings and prioritizing them appropriately.

Even before this announcement there was no system you speak of.

Sadly, the process appears to me more about developers than it is about actual school needs.

I agree with this. After learning about the city "moving" the Walker Jones farm because the city wants the land to develop, my cynical response would be it's development based.

[Anonymous]

Kaya Henderson just stated in the Education Committee oversight hearing that Garrison will get its full funding in FY15 (which begins in Oct) because they heard from the school that they didn't want just a phase 1 effort this year.

[Anonymous]

Funding for Payne was also restored!!

[Anonymous]

So where are the restored funds coming from? This is all fishy. . .

[Anonymous]

The reprogramming that Gray just submitted is for unspent or reprioritized funds in FY14 - this happens at least once a fiscal year. Henderson is saying nothing will be coming in FY14 for Garrison but that all have committed to the full funding in FY15 because they heard that they didn't want a staggered modernization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kaya Henderson just stated in the Education Committee oversight hearing that Garrison will get its full funding in FY15 (which begins in Oct) because they heard from the school that they didn't want just a phase 1 effort this year.

I have no dog in this fight, but I don't understand what Gray/Kaya keep doing with Garrison. I love it/I hate it/They won't care/Oh yes they do over and over and over again. Clearly there is a strong force fighting for it to stay open and be renovated. This is just making them look like idiots. If they want to close/not renovate it, then go for it. But the constant threats and then realizing that people care is just plain idiotic and makes them seem as disorganized as they are.

[GarrisonPTA]

We have been asking for a full modernization at Garrison for quite some time. While we knew we were getting our Phase I reno this summer, we were also asking to get money in FY2015 to do the next Phases of modernization, rather than have to wait until 2019 and 2021 to complete the remaining phases.

So, while we are disappointed that classrooms won't be renovated this summer, it is great that we will be getting what we have been asking for in 2015 (barring yet another rescheduling of funds...) With the way everything has gone for us, I'll just accept this as a win. With respect to what a previous poster said regarding Gray's and Henderson's attitude towards Garrison, I totally agree...it's been shown over and over that we are simply not a priority to them. What would be nice if there was a strategy for the school (and hey, EVERY school), that everyone supports.

What I do think is great is that even on this forum, everyone agrees that all this pitting school against school has got to stop. We need a strategic plan for modernization of schools that is finalized and committed to and not changed. Plus, more realistic budgeting has to occur - that is what really started the mess to begin with...no contingency funds when things don't go as planned. I hope that all District residents start demanding this. Even if you don't have a child in our public schools, it does affect you and the city.

[Anonymous]

A Hill blog is reporting that Gray has restored modernization funding for Payne.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A Hill blog is reporting that Gray has restored modernization funding for Payne.

Chancellor confirmed at yesterday's Council Ed Committee hearing.